Baling block



Patented Mar. 31, 1942 UNlTED STATS Q'ATENT rice 3 Claims.

This invention relates to baling blocks, and an object of the invention'is to provide a baling block characterized by such a construction as will tend to reduce time, labor, and expense in the replacement thereof required as a result of damage done to the block when in use, and often caused by failure of a proper seating of the block in the baling chamber of a hay baling machine.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the baling chamber of a baling machine and showing the block in position, and in longitudinal section.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the baling chamber and showing the baling block in top plan. I

Figure 3 is a perspective View of the block.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective View show ing the several parts of the block separated.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line- 5-5 of Figure 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that in the preferred embodiment of the invention the baling block, indicated generally by the reference numeral 5, embodies a center or body-board composed of a relatively large section 6 and a relatively smaller section 1.

The center or body-board composed of the sections 6, 1, has riveted or otherwise secured thereto as at 8, transverse cleats 9, and in this connection it will be noted that the section I of the body or center board is of a width corresponding substantially to the width of a cleat 9 and accommodates on opposite sides thereof cleats 9 as shown.

The sections 6 and 1 of the body board are held in edge abutting relation through the medium of tie-bars III-40. In this connection it will be noted that the length of the cleats 9 are in excess of the width of the main body or center body-board B to provide at opposite longitudinal edges of the baling block grooves I l in which the tie-bars II) have a driving fit; it being intended that the tie-bars I!) be of slightly greater thickness than the thickness of the center or body-board and hence a driving action will be required to force the tie-bars l0 into the grooves ll provided therefor. Consequently material friction contact will be set up between the projecting ends of the cleats 9 and the tie-bars ID with the result that no such fastening elements as screws, bolts, or the like will be required to secure the tie-bars ID in position on the assembled baling block.

Itwill also be found in actual practice that the fit of the tie-bars H] in the grooves II will be such that when the block is assembled the sections 6 and I of the body-board will resist practically any effort or force applied for the purpose of effecting a longitudinal separation of the body-block sections 6 and 1.

To facilitate handling of the baling block, the cleats 9 associated with the section 1 of the bodyboard are provided with finger-accommodating grooves .l2. These grooves l2 also act as an index or signal denoting the upper end of the baling block with the result that the likelihood of inserting the block upside down in the baling chamber of the baling press is reduced to a minimum.

As is well known in the baling of hay-through the medium of a, power-operated baling press, baling blocks are used to form partitions in the baling chamber for dividing and maintaining separate the bales as they are being successively made.

Accordingly, and as shown in the drawings, the top wall-of the baling chamber, fragmentarily shown in the drawings and indicated by the reference numeral [3, is provided with an opening or slot [4 through which the baling block is inserted downwardly into proper position and to function for the purpose intended.

As those familiar with the art appreciate, sometimes particles of hay and straw remaining from the compressing of a bale accumulate on the floor of the press l3 below the opening M with I the result that the baling block comes to rest on such accumulation and therefore the upper edge thereof projects into the opening l4. Consequently as pressure is applied in the feeding of the hay into the baling chamber for making the second bale of hay, the movement of the block M through the chamber I3 is interfered with, resulting in the baling block breaking off generally adjacent the upper end thereof in the region of the uppermost grooves l5 provided, through the medium of the spacing of the cleats 9, at opposite sides of the baling block, and to accommodate the baling wires.

When the baling block becomes so damaged it is of course necessary to replace the same. Under the present forms or structures of baling blocks this replacement is time-consuming and often becomes very expensive due to the fact that the present structures of baling blocks generally necessitate practically a complete rebuilding or remaking thereof. However, with a baling block constructed in accordance with the present invention, and as hereinabove described, this replacement can be accomplished with minimum efiort and at little or no expense. This is due to the fact that in the event the baling block of the present invention is not properly positioned in the chamber l3 and its upper edge extends into the slot M, the only parts thereof likely to be damaged will be the tie-bars [0. Under such circumstances the bars It] will break or fracture in the regions thereof near to the uppermost grooves 15, or in other words in the region of the joint between the sections 6 and I; these sections 6 and 1 being mutually separable, precluding any damage resulting thereto as a result of such improper positioning of the baling block.

Thus it will be seen that when such damage occurs, the broken tie-bars I may be readily removed and replaced with new bars and the block then is ready for use. Obviously the cost of replacing the bars I0 is nominal in comparison with the cost of replacing the main or center body-board of a baling block. Also to replace the main or center board of such a block, all of the cleats must be removed from the old block and then fastened to the new or substituted block; an operation requiring much time, labor, and a certain amount of skill.

If desired the cleats 9 at the groove-forming edges ll thereof may be provided, as shown, with metallic wear plates 4 riveted or otherwise secured to the said ends of the cleats 9 as at 3 and as shown in Figure 5 to protect these cleats 9, which are generally made of wood, against wear resulting from the action of the baling dogs of the press thereagainst.

Also, if desired, and as shown, the sections 6 and I of the center board or main body of the baling block have secured thereto, as at I5 and I6, respectively, for protecting the vertical or shorter edges thereof, respectively, narrow straps I1 and I8, respectively, of metal to protect said edges of the sections 5 and 1 against being punctured as a result of using tools in prying the tie-bars ID from the grooves ll incidental to, for example, the replacement of broken tie-bars.

It is thought that the construction, advantages and utility of a baling block embodying the features of the present invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art without further detailed description.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. A division block for balers comprising a body-board composed of two complemental sections each having thereon transverse cleats projecting at their opposite edges laterally beyond the side edges of the body-board sections to provide at opposite side edges of the division block grooves extending for substantially the full length of the division block, and tie-bars of a length corresponding to the full length of the division block having a driving fit in said grooves and cooperating with the extended ends of said cleats for holding the block sections in aligned relation.

2. A division block for balers comprising a main body-board divided in two complemental sections one of which is larger than the other, and each of which having transverse cleats secured thereto and extending at their respective opposite ends beyond the side edges of the respective body-block sections to provide at opposite side edges of the division block grooves extending substantially the full length of the block; and tie-bars having a wedging fit in the grooves formed by said extended ends of the cleats and bridging the joint between the bodyboard sections for retaining the body-board sections assembled in aligned relation.

3. A division block for balers comprising a body board having transverse cleats thereon and projecting beyond the board at opposite longitudinal edges thereof to provide at said edges grooves extending for substantially the full length of the body board; said body board being divided at one side of its transverse center into two complemental sections, and tie bars having a wedging fit in the grooves formed by the extended ends of said cleats, said tie bars being respectively of a length corresponding to the length of the body board and bridging the joint between the sections of said board.

IRA E. ALLISON. 

